Print

Mail

wiki links

Sweden win, but it's not enough

North Korea advanced to the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup, finishing second in Group B despite losing 2-1 to Sweden yesterday.

North Korea and Sweden finished tied on four points each, but North Korea advance due to a better goal difference.

Sweden needed to win by a margin of three goals or more to advance.

Charlotta Schelin scored two goals for the Swedes, who were left to rue a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in their opening game of the group -- a result that ultimately cost the 2003 World Cup finalists a quarter-final place.

Sweden struck first in the fourth minute when Therese Sjogran sent a cross to Schelin in front of the goal. Schelin, who is 1.78m tall, towered over a North Korean defender and easily headed the ball into the back of the net.

North Korea equalized in the 22nd minute after being awarded a free-kick. They took the kick quickly with a short pass and Ri Un-suk caught the Swedish defenders off-guard. Ri ran a few steps and launched a perfectly placed long-range shot just under the crossbar.

Schelin burst between two defenders in the 54th minute to score the winning goal. Keeper Jon Myong-hui got a hand on the ball but it dribbled into the back of the net.

Sweden played more than half the game without star striker Hanna Ljungberg, who finished the World Cup without scoring a goal. She came off the field after some heavy tackling just before halftime left her and teammate Karolina Westberg writhing side by side.

Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl stopped numerous shots in the second half to preserve the lead, but Sweden were unable to break through the North Korean defense late to find the goals needed for a quarter-final berth.
This story has been viewed 1128 times.